Into the Fire

Drama has become a multi-descriptive word. In the first place it refers to a type of show business, defining what kind of entertainment to expect on the movie or television screens. In this venue it implies serious matters, emotional content, conflict, possible danger, potential resolution. Now used in the vernacular, "drama" is often used with "queen" or "king" attached implying overblown reactions and personalities, the mode of handling conflicts with extreme emotions, or it can refer to a singular circumstance which logically or illogically has elicited serious involvement by hyper-charged individuals.

An author risks overdoing – thereby ruining – a dramatic scene. It seems this becomes most common when employing a hero and heroine who are fighting an attraction to one another in the romance and/or romantic suspense genres. More pointedly in – although certainly not limited to – Christian romance or romantic suspense stories. And this particular act of "drama" can drive me near the edge because of the way it's done. 

Some authors do the "fighting attraction" splendidly. Others not so much. To do it well, there has to be an understandable reason for attempting to avoid the attraction – at least in the mind of the male and/or female fighting it – and that has to translate well to the readers. Otherwise, it just comes off as childish. 

I'm a drama lover – and probably could've worn the "Drama Queen" title well occasionally as a teenager – but I do not appreciate silliness in novel relationships. Humor, okay, once in awhile. In fact, humor can give an intense situation a nice break. But I'm not a fan of pseudo-drama when real communication and understanding should suffice. 

Father, you know all our leanings, likes, and intentions. We can't hide our emotions or anything else from you. Thank you for those who write characters and scenes so well and capture what we experience in this life both good and bad. Please help those of us who create with words to do what you've given us to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.